Interlocking rotary brush construction

ABSTRACT

A rotary brush assembly is provided having a hub assembly comprising a series of interlocking one-piece hub members arranged end to end on a driven shaft. Each hub member is provided with an integral flange extending outwardly from the outer tubular wall of an annular channel and having a series of circumferentially spaced slots which receive tabs projecting from the channel of the next adjacent hub member. The hub assembly is an extremely valuable improvement because its high quality and great strength are accompanied by a drastic reduction in the cost of manufacture of the brush assembly.

111R tts ate 1191 11 Schoiield [45] cc. 3, 1974 INTERLOCKING ROTARYBRUSH 3,253,291 5/1966 Nelson 15 181 CONSTRUCTION 3,643,281 2/1972Schofield 15/181 [75] Inventor: Arthur T. Schofiield, Brecksville,

Ohio Primary ExaminerPeter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or FirmBosworth,Sessions & [73] Assignee: The Manufacturers Brush Company, McCoyCleveland, Ohio 22 Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 ABSTRACT 2 App} 385,985 A rotarybrush assembly is provided having a hub as sembly comprising a series ofinterlocking one-piece hub members arranged end to end on a drivenshaft.

[52] US. Cl. 15/1811 Each hub member is provided with an integral flange[5 1] 1111111. Cl A461) 13/00 extending outwardly from the outer tubularwall Of an Fleld of Search annular channel and having a series ofcircumferen- 300/21 tially spaced slots which receive tabs projectingfrom the channel of the next adjacent hub member. The

[ References Ciled hub assembly is an extremely valuable improvementUNITED STATES PATENTS because its high quality and great strength areaccom- 1,714,137 5/1929 Radinse .1 15/181 Panied by a drastic reductionin the cost of manufac 2,316,185 4/1943 Peterson 15/181 We of the brushassembly- 2,320,384 6/1943 Peterson 15 181 2,877,481 3/1959 Van c1161,Jr. 15i181 16 Clams 5 Drawmg F'gures l 5 i111 iii lhliililliINTERLOCKING ROTARY BRUSH CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates toa rotary brush assembly and more particularly to a low-cost high-qualitybrush assembly having interlocking sheet metal hub members arrangedend-to-end to support a series of rotary brushes.

The rotary brush assembly of this invention is an improvement in thetype of brushing machinery described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,281granted Feb. 22, 1972. As pointed out in column 1, lines 24 to 48, ofthat patent, various other constructions were previously employed asdisclosed in Radinse U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,367, my U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,737and Peterson U.S. Pat. No. 2,316,185.

The present invention involves the discovery of a simple, uniqueassembly which is much better than any of the above and which provideshigh quality, strength and durability while greatly reducing the cost ofmanufacture.

The brush assembly of the present invention employs a series ofidentical sheet metal hub members which can easily be produced at lowcost from a flat metal sheet by simple conventional stamping operations.Eachhub member comprises an annular channel and an integral radialflange having a large number of tabreceiving slots. The channel of eachhub member is slotted to provide a large number of integral elongatedtabs which are adapted to extend through the aforesaid slots of anadjacent hub member when the hub members are arranged end to end in anassembly. A conventional rotary brush with an annular hub ring ismounted on each of said hub members and is held in position between theradial flanges of the hub members, the tabs of each hub member beingheld in radial positions between the radial flange of the adjacent hubmember and the hub ring carried by the latter hub member. The hub ringis upset at circumferentially spaced portions to provide protrusions orlobes which fit corresponding depressions in the hub member to preventangular movement of the ring on the hub member.

Objects of the invention are to provide a simple, inexpensive rotarybrush assembly which can readily be assembled at minimum cost and toprovide a strong durable assembly suitable for heavy duty use.

These and other objects, uses and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims and from the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing a rotary brushassembly constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken generallyalong the line 22 of FIG. 1 and on a larger scale with portions shown inbroken lines;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and on a larger scale;

FIG. 4 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view somewhat similar toFIG. 2 but with parts separated to show the method of assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the brush assembly also showing themethod of assembly.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, which are drawnsubstantially to scale and in which like parts are identified by thesame numerals throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 to 5 show acylindrical rotary brush assembly B constructed accordingly to theinvention having a cylindrical shaft or arbor 2, which may be driven athigh speed, a large number of circular rotary brushes 3 with long radialbristles 4 supported on channel-shaped hub rings 5, and a correspondingnumber of annular sheet metal hub members 6 arranged end to end ininterlocked relation to provide a rigid hub assembly 7. The shaft 2 hasa pair of parallel diametrically opposed keyways 8 extendingsubstantially the full length of the shaft which receive a pair of longmetal keys 9 of uniform rectangular cross section, which may also extendthe full length of the shaft.

Each rotary brush 3 may be similar to a conventional rotary brush of thetype disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,213 and may have the bristles 4firmly secured to the hub ring 5 in the same way with an annular lockingring 11 of U-shaped cross section located in the channel. As hereinshown, each ring 5 has an internally cylindrical portion 12 extendingaxially between identical radial flanges l3 and 14. Each of said flangesis deformed to grip the bristles 4 and has a large number of regularlyarranged radial indentations or pleats 15 closely spaced around thecircumference. Also, in accordance with the present invention, the ring5 is deformed by squeezing and upsetting the flanges 13 and 14 toprovide the flanges with a series of regularly circumferentially spacedindented portions 16 and to provide the portion 12 of the ring withrounded, bulged or protruding lobes 17. Except for the indented portions16 and associated lobes 17, each rotary brush 3 may be constructedsubstantially as disclosed in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,213.

The one-piece hub members 6 of the present invention are preferablyformed of sheet metal and comprise a flat annular radial flange 19 ofuniform radial width integral with an annular channel 20 of uniformradial width. The radial flange has a large number of reqularly arrangedcircumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots 18, which are preferablyelongated circumferentially to a length of 0.2 to 0.5 inch or so and areusually spaced apart a distance at least several times the length ofeach slot (for example, a distance of l to 3 inches).

The channel 20 is cut or slotted to provide a large number of elongatedintegral tabs 21 and a corresponding number of vertically elongatedslots 22 of the same size and shape. Each tab 21 is formed in axialalignment with one of the slots 18 and is of a size to fit loosely inthe slot, the width of each tab being preferably uniform and slightlyless than the length of the slot 18. The tabs of each hub member 6preferably extend in an axial direction prior to assembly as indicatedin FIGS. 4 and 5 so that they may easily be inserted through the slots18 of the adjacent hub member 6 during assembly. Thereafter, they arebent radially outwardly against the radial flange 19 of said adjacenthub member and serve as means for interlocking said hub members as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2.

The size and shape of the tabs 21 and the associated slots 22 may varyconsiderably. Usually the tab is generally rectangular and is bent alongthe radially outer edge of the slot 22, which is preferably located atthe outer cylindrical wall portion 26 of the channel 20. The length ofthe tab is preferably substantially the same as that of the slot 22 andis preferably at least half the radial width of the flange I9 and atleast several times the radial width of the slot 18, which is usually atleast twice the thickness of the tab. The tab length should be less thanthe axial width of the channel 20 and is usually several times the tabwidth as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

The channel 20 of each hub member 6 has an inner sleeve portion 24 withan internal cylindrical surface that fits the external cylindricalsurface of the shaft 2, a flat radial wall portion 25, and an outertubular wall portion 26 with an external cylindrical surface which fitsthe inner cylindrical surface of the ring 5 (at wall 12). The innersleeve portion and the radial wall prtion are cut away to provide twokey notches 23 of rectangular shape with a width substantially equal tothe width of the key 9. The notches 23 of each hub member arediametrically opposed and located to fit on the keys 9 as shown in FIG.1.

The outer tubular wall portion 26 of each hub member is provided with aseries of regularly arranged rounded depressed key portions 27 locatedto receive the lobes 17 of the brush rings (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Theouter surface of the portions 27 may have generally the same shape andcurvature as the radially inner surfaces of the lobes 17, but this isnot necessary. The lobes l7 fit in the depressions at 27 to preventrelative angular movement between the brush ring 5 and the hub member 6so that a considerable torque can be developed when required.

The construction of the hub members 6 is such that it is very easy toform the assembly B. For example, the assembly can be carried on veryrapidly using a vertical press and a vertical shaft corresponding toshaft 2 with keys 9 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. One hub member 6 isplaced on the vertical shaft with the tabs 21 extending upwardly. Thenthe ring 5 of a rotary brush 3 is moved axially over the tabs 21 andpositioned on the outer surface of the wall portion 26 with the lobes 17in the depressions 27. Another hub member 6 is then placed on thevertical shaft and moved downwardly until the radial flange 19 thereofengages the ring 5 with the slots 18 receiving the tabs 21. The tabs 21are then bent radially outwardly against the flange 19 to secure the hubmembers together.

The assembly can be done quickly at extremely low cost. For example, allof the tabs 21 of one hub member can easily be bent down simultaneouslyby an annular tool carried by the vertical press in one or two pressingoperations. After the tabs 21 have been bent to a radial positionagainst the flange 19 of the last-mentioned hub member, the ring 5 ofanother brush section is lowered into place against the tabs 21, andanother hub member is lowered onto the vertical shaft, and the cycle isrepeated. The operations are repeated over and over again to provide abrush assembly B of the desired axial length which is commonly to 25inches or so but may be much greater.

The hub members 6 provide a strong rigid support for the brush sectionsand clamp the rings 5 in position. As shown, the difference between theaxial distance between adjacent flanges 19 of the hub assembly 7 and theaxial width of the brush ring 5 is equal to or slightly greater than thethickness of each tab 21 so that the tabs are clamped between and inengagement with the flanges 13 and 19, and it will be understood thatsuch difference is preferably no more than 2 or 3 times the thickness ofthe tab so that the rings 5 are securely held against axial movement. Itwill also be understood that axial movement of ring 5 may also beprevented by providing a tight or forced fit between ring 5 and the hubmember. The assembly B may have an external diameter of 10 to 20 inchesand an axial length of 6 inches to several feet. In the more commonsizes, the hub member 6 has a wall portion 26 with an axial width of 0.4to 0.7 inch and an external diameter of 4 to 8 inches, has 8 to 12 tabs(21) with a length 2 to 5 times its width, and has 3 to 5 regularlyspaced depressed portions 27 of arcuate cross section with a maximumdepth of 0.1 to 0.2 inch. However, the size and shape of the parts mayvary considerably.

The hub assembly of the present invention is much less expensive thanthat of my US. Pat. No. 3,643,281 and requires fewer parts. Because ofthe ease of assembly and elimination of the need for spot welding orother reinforcing means, the cost of manufacture is reduced 20 to 25percent or more.

The individual hub members 6 can be mass produced at low cost from flatsheet metal by a few simple stamping operations to shape the piece andto provide the various tabs and slots as will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the above disclosure.

The brush assembly B is well ventilated and permits ready flo'w ofcooling air or fluid through the slots 22 and through the spaces betweenthe radial flanges 19 of the hub members 6 and the flanges 13 of thebrush rings 5.

It will be understood that in accordance with the patent laws,variations and modifications of the specific devices disclosed hereinmaybe made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a rotary brush assembly, an annular sheet metal hub member (6)comprising an annular channel (20) and an integral radial flange (19)with a large number of circumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots (18)therein located adjacent the outer tubular portion (26) of said channel,said channel having an inner shaftengaging sleeve portion (24) and aradial wall portion (25) cut to provide a large number of verticallyelongated slots (22) and integral elongated tabs (21) bent outwardlyfrom said slots at the outer edges of said slots, each tab (21) beinggenerally in axial alignment with one of said tab-receiving slots (18)and ,having a width less than the length of that slot, whereby the tabsof said hub member (6) will fit the tab-receiving slots of an identicalhub member to provide means for interlocking said members.

2. The combination according to claim -1 wherein said outer wall portion(26) of said channel (20) has a series of rounded key portions (27)spaced around its circumference.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said inner sleeveportion (24) and said radial wall portion (25) are cut away to provideat least one key notch (23).

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said channel (20) isdrawn from a flat blank to provide said outer wall portion (26) with anaxial width of 0.4 to 0.7 inch and a diameter of 4 to 8 inches.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said hub member (6) hasat least 8 tabs and each tab (21) has a length 2 to 5 times its width.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said outer wall portion(26) has at least 3 regularly spaced key portions (27) and each keyportion forms a rounded generally cylindrical recess with a maximumdepth of about 0.1 to 0.2 inch.

7. A hub assembly for a rotary brushing tool comprising a series ofannular sheet metal hub members (6) adapted to be placed end to end inaxial alignment, each hub member comprising an annular channel and anintegral radial flange (19) with a large number of circumferentiallyspaced tab-receiving slots (18) therein located adjacent the outertubular portion (26) of said channel, said channel having an innershaftengaging sleeve portion (24) and a radial wall portion cut toprovide a large number of vertically elongated slots (22) and integralelongated tabs (21) bent outwardly from said slots at the outer edges ofsaid slots, the tabs (21) of each hub member being adapted to extendthrough the tab-receiving slots (18) of an adjacent hub member (6) toprovide means for interlocking said members.

8. A hub assembly according to claim 7 wherein the tabs (21) of each hubmember (6) are bent radially outwardly against the radial flange (19) ofan adjacent hub member.

9. A hub assembly according to claim 8 wherein the inner sleeve portion(24) and the radial wall portion (25) of each hub member (6) are cutaway to provide at least one key notch (23) and wherein the key notchesof all of the hub members (6) are in axial align ment.

10. A hub assembly according to claim 9 wherein the outer wall portion(26) of the channel (20) of each hub member (6) has a series of roundedindented key portions (27) spaced around its circumference, and whereinthe key portions (27) of all of the hub members (6) are in axialalignment.

11. A rotary brush assembly comprising a series of generally circularrotary brushes (3), each having a channel-shaped annular hub ring (5)gripping the radially inner portions of radially extending bristles (4),a series of annular hub members (6) arranged end to end in axialalignment, each hub member comprising an annular channel (20) and anintegral radial flange (19) with a large number of circumferentiallyspaced tabreceiving slots (18) therein located adjacent the outertubular wall portion (26) of said channel, said channel having an innershaft-engaging sleeve portion (24) and a radial wall portion (25) cut toprovide a large number of vertically elongated slots (22) and integralelongated tabs (21) bent outwardly from said slots at the outer edges ofsaid slots, the tabs (21) of one hub member extending through thetab-receiving slots (18) of an adjacent hub member and extendingradially outwardly contiguous to the radial flange (19) of an adjacenthub member, the hub rings (5) of said brushes having a size to fit onthe channels (20) of said hub members and being mounted thereon betweenthe radial flanges (19) of said hub members.

12. A rotary brush assembly (B) according to claim 11 wherein the outerwall portion (26) of each channel (20) has a plurality of key portions(27) spaced around its circumference and the hub rings (5) are upset atcircumferentially spaced locations to provide protruding lobes (17) thatfit in said key portions to prevent relative angular movement betweenthe hub ring (5) and the adjacent channel (20).

13. A rotary brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein one radialflange (13) of each hub ring engages the tabs (21) and the other radialflange (14) of that ring engages the radial flange (19) of an adjacenthub member, whereby the hub ring is held against axial movement.

14. A rotary brush assembly according to claim 13 wherein the tabs (21)of each hub'member are sandwiched between and in engagement with theradial flange (19) of an adjacent hub member and the hub ring (5) of therotary brush (3) carried by'that hub member.

15. A rotary brush assembly according to claim 11 wherein the channels(20) of the hub member are cut away to provide axially alignedkey-receiving notches (23). i

16. A rotary brush assembly comprising a series of rotary brushes (3),each having a hub ring (5) ahd radial bristles (4), a series of annularhub members (6) arranged end to end in axial alignment, each hub membercomprising a channel (20) and an integral radial flange (19) withcircumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots (18) therein locatedadjacent the outer portion (26) of said channel, said channel having awall portion (25) cut to provide elongated slots (22) and integralelongated tabs (21) bent outwardly from said slots, the tabs (21) of onehub member extending through the tab-receiving slots (18) of an adjacenthub member and engaging the radial flange (19) of an adjacent hubmember, the hub rings (5) of said brushes being mounted between theradial flanges (19) of said hub

1. In a rotary brush assembly, an annular sheet metal hub member (6)comprising an annular channel (20) and an integral radial flange (19)with a large number of circumferentially spaced tabreceiving slots (18)therein located adjacent the outer tubular portion (26) of said channel,said channel having an inner shaftengaging sleeve portion (24) and aradial wall portion (25) cut to provide a large number of verticallyelongated slots (22) and integral elongated tabs (21) bent outwardlyfrom said slots at the outer edges of said slots, each tab (21) beinggenerally in axial alignment with one of said tab-receiving slots (18)and having a width less than the length of that slot, whereby the tabsof said hub member (6) will fit the tab-receiving slots of an identicalhub member to provide means for interlocking said members.
 2. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein said outer wall portion (26) ofsaid channel (20) has a series of rounded key portions (27) spacedaround its circumference.
 3. The combination according to claim 2wherein said inner sleeve portion (24) and said radial wall portion (25)are cut away to provide at least one key notch (23).
 4. The combinationaccording to claim 3 wherein said channel (20) is drawn from a flatblank to provide said outer wall portion (26) with an axial width of 0.4to 0.7 inch and a diameter of 4 to 8 inches.
 5. The combinationaccording to claim 4 wherein said hub member (6) has at least 8 tabs andeach tab (21) has a length 2 to 5 times its width.
 6. The combinationaccording to claim 5 wherein said outer wall portion (26) has at least 3regularly spaced key portions (27) and each key portion forms a roundedgenerally cylindrical recess with a maximum depth of about 0.1 to 0.2inch.
 7. A hub assembly for a rotary brushing tool comprising a seriesof annular sheet metal hub members (6) adapted to be placed end to endin axial alignment, each hub member comprising an annular channel (20)and an integral radial flange (19) with a large number ofcircumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots (18) therein locatedadjacent the outer tubular portion (26) of said channel, said channelhaving an inner shaft-engaging sleeve portion (24) and a radial wallportion (25) cut to provide a large number of vertically elongated slots(22) and integral elongated tabs (21) bent outwardly from said slots atthe outer edges of said slots, the tabs (21) of each hub member beingadapted to extend through the tab-receiving slots (18) of an adjacenthub member (6) to provide means for interlocking said members.
 8. A hubassembly according to claim 7 wherein the tabs (21) of each hub member(6) arE bent radially outwardly against the radial flange (19) of anadjacent hub member.
 9. A hub assembly according to claim 8 wherein theinner sleeve portion (24) and the radial wall portion (25) of each hubmember (6) are cut away to provide at least one key notch (23) andwherein the key notches of all of the hub members (6) are in axialalignment.
 10. A hub assembly according to claim 9 wherein the outerwall portion (26) of the channel (20) of each hub member (6) has aseries of rounded indented key portions (27) spaced around itscircumference, and wherein the key portions (27) of all of the hubmembers (6) are in axial alignment.
 11. A rotary brush assemblycomprising a series of generally circular rotary brushes (3), eachhaving a channel-shaped annular hub ring (5) gripping the radially innerportions of radially extending bristles (4), a series of annular hubmembers (6) arranged end to end in axial alignment, each hub membercomprising an annular channel (20) and an integral radial flange (19)with a large number of circumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots (18)therein located adjacent the outer tubular wall portion (26) of saidchannel, said channel having an inner shaft-engaging sleeve portion (24)and a radial wall portion (25) cut to provide a large number ofvertically elongated slots (22) and integral elongated tabs (21) bentoutwardly from said slots at the outer edges of said slots, the tabs(21) of one hub member extending through the tab-receiving slots (18) ofan adjacent hub member and extending radially outwardly contiguous tothe radial flange (19) of an adjacent hub member, the hub rings (5) ofsaid brushes having a size to fit on the channels (20) of said hubmembers and being mounted thereon between the radial flanges (19) ofsaid hub members.
 12. A rotary brush assembly (B) according to claim 11wherein the outer wall portion (26) of each channel (20) has a pluralityof key portions (27) spaced around its circumference and the hub rings(5) are upset at circumferentially spaced locations to provideprotruding lobes (17) that fit in said key portions to prevent relativeangular movement between the hub ring (5) and the adjacent channel (20).13. A rotary brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein one radialflange (13) of each hub ring engages the tabs (21) and the other radialflange (14) of that ring engages the radial flange (19) of an adjacenthub member, whereby the hub ring is held against axial movement.
 14. Arotary brush assembly according to claim 13 wherein the tabs (21) ofeach hub member are sandwiched between and in engagement with the radialflange (19) of an adjacent hub member and the hub ring (5) of the rotarybrush (3) carried by that hub member.
 15. A rotary brush assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein the channels (20) of the hub member arecut away to provide axially aligned key-receiving notches (23).
 16. Arotary brush assembly comprising a series of rotary brushes (3), eachhaving a hub ring (5) and radial bristles (4), a series of annular hubmembers (6) arranged end to end in axial alignment, each hub membercomprising a channel (20) and an integral radial flange (19) withcircumferentially spaced tab-receiving slots (18) therein locatedadjacent the outer portion (26) of said channel, said channel having awall portion (25) cut to provide elongated slots (22) and integralelongated tabs (21) bent outwardly from said slots, the tabs (21) of onehub member extending through the tab-receiving slots (18) of an adjacenthub member and engaging the radial flange (19) of an adjacent hubmember, the hub rings (5) of said brushes being mounted between theradial flanges (19) of said hub members.